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7 days ago
- Sport
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Divya Deshmukh awarded Rs 3 crore by Maharashtra CM after historic Chess World Cup win
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis felicitated FIDE Women's Chess World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh in Nagpur, awarding her Rs 3 crore for her historic victory. The 19-year-old became the youngest champion after defeating fellow Indian Koneru Humpy in the final. read more Nagpur: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday felicitated newly-crowned FIDE Women's Chess World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh here and handed over a cash award of Rs 3 crore to her. Deshmukh, 19, became the youngest to win the Women's World Cup title held at Batumi in Georgia on July 28 after she outwitted compatriot Koneru Humpy in the tie-breaker of the final. The victory not just earned her the prestigious title, but also made her a Grandmaster. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Deshmukh is a native of Nagpur, the same place from where CM Fadnavis also hails. During the programme held in the city, the Grandmaster thanked CM Fadnavis and the people of Nagpur for felicitating her. She said one gets to enjoy such moments rarely in life. 'This is a very special moment for me. I am so happy that I could be a little bit part of their (children's) motivation and their inspiration. I am feeling very happy,' she said. She thanked the Maharashtra government and the Maharashtra Chess Association for their support. Speaking on the occasion, Fadnavis said he felt proud as an Indian, as the CM of Maharashtra and as a native of Nagpur that a local girl has made the country proud at the world level. The government organised Deshmukh's public felicitation function to motivate the country's children, he said. The Maharashtra government has always given priority to sports, he said. CM Fadnavis then handed over a cheque of Rs 3 crore as cash prize to Deshmukh, and ensured support to her in her future endeavours. Sport Minister Manikrao Kokate also promised overall development of sports in the state. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
No player should miss out on tournaments due to lack of funds, says CM
1 2 Nagpur: Maharashtra is set to establish advanced sports training centres with global-standard facilities, international coaches, and certified nutritionists, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Saturday. Speaking at a felicitation ceremony for Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh, Fadnavis said the state is committed to building a robust sports ecosystem where every deserving player gets full support. He also added that no athlete should miss out on tournaments due to financial or logistical constraints. Addressing the gathering, Fadnavis said Divya's triumph brought him threefold happiness: as an Indian witnessing the end of Chinese dominance in chess, as a Maharashtrian proud of the state's talent, and as a Nagpurkar celebrating a hometown hero. "She made us proud at the global level," said Fadnavis. "At just 19, she's achieved what many can only dream of," he added. Fadnavis emphasised that Divya's journey — from Under-9 champion at the age of 7 to defeating elite global players — is a source of inspiration for thousands of young chess aspirants. Highlighting the focus, discipline, and sharpness required for chess in an age dominated by mobile distractions, he stressed that Maharashtra would continue to give sports the priority it deserves. "This felicitation is not just to honour her but to inspire others. We are building a system where no talented sportsperson is deprived of chances due to a lack of funds or facilities," he said. Fadnavis elaborated on several initiatives launched by the state to uplift sports. "Until recently, there was no provision to fund players. Now we've changed that. We offer cash prizes and direct support to help athletes with travel, training, and equipment," he said. Fadnavis also revealed that the state govt has already transferred Rs3 crore into Divya's account as a reward. On a lighter note, cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal commented on Nagpur's intellectual strength, saying, "People from Nagpur seem to be especially brilliant at chess." Jokingly, he added, "I also play chess, but in politics. Knocking out pawns and checkmating opponents is a skill we learn here, too." MLC Parinay Fuke, president of the Maharashtra Chess Association, also praised Divya's achievement, calling it a landmark moment for both Nagpur and India. "After Vishy Anand, she is the first Indian woman to bring such glory to India. The finals were tough, with three tie-breakers, but her aggressive play helped her clinch the win," he said. He recalled her early days, citing her first coach, the late Rahul Joshi, and current coach Abhimanyu Puranik. Fuke also revealed that when they approached the CM for funding the Chess Grand Prix in 2023, he immediately approved Rs2 crore. "Divya, who had lost to Koneru Humpy in the semi-final then, went on to defeat Humpy in this year's finale," he said. With the next Chess World Cup (Open) set to take place in India, Fuke said that Maharashtra deserves to host the event and take its rightful place on the world chess map. Fadnavis replied that if the Maharashtra Chess Association manages to bag the hosting rights, the state govt will ensure that it is organised at a grand level. Newly appointed sports minister Manikrao Kokate, in his first public address, called chess a mix of discipline, concentration, and mental strength. Kokate announced that funds would be specially allocated for advanced training of girl athletes. "If girls are given the right opportunity and support, they can conquer the world. I will do everything in my capacity to make Maharashtra the top state in sports," Kokate said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Rs 3 crore reward! Divya Deshmukh felicitated by Maharashtra CM
(Pic credit: CMO Maharashtra) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis felicitated Divya Deshmukh, the newly crowned FIDE Women's Chess World Cup champion, with a cash award of Rs 3 crore in a ceremony. The 19-year-old from Nagpur made history on July 28 in Batumi, Georgia, by becoming the youngest Women's World Cup champion, defeating compatriot Koneru Humpy in a tense tie-break final. Her triumph not only brought her global acclaim but also earned her the prestigious Grandmaster title. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Deshmukh expressed her gratitude during the event, saying, 'This is a very special moment for me. I am so happy that I could be a little bit part of their (children's) motivation and their inspiration. I am feeling very happy.' Poll What do you think of Divya Deshmukh's achievement as the youngest Women's Chess World Cup champion? Inspiring Impressive Deserving She acknowledged the role of the Maharashtra government and the Maharashtra Chess Association in supporting her journey to the top. CM Fadnavis, also a Nagpur native, said he was proud not just as CM but also as a fellow Nagpurkar to see local talent shine on the world stage. 'Divya has made the entire country proud,' he remarked, adding that the government is committed to prioritising sports and nurturing young talent. The felicitation was organized as a public celebration to inspire children across the country. Alongside the Rs 3 crore check, the CM pledged continued support for Deshmukh's future tournaments. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
News18
02-08-2025
- Politics
- News18
Maharashtra Government Awards Rs 3 Crore To World Cup-Winner Divya Deshmukh
Last Updated: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis honored FIDE Women's Chess World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh with a Rs 3 crore award. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday honoured the newly-crowned FIDE Women's Chess World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh and presented her with a cash award of Rs 3 crore. Deshmukh, 19, became the youngest to win the Women's World Cup title, held in Batumi, Georgia, on July 28, after defeating compatriot Koneru Humpy in the tie-breaker of the final. This victory not only earned her the prestigious title but also conferred upon her the title of Grandmaster. Deshmukh hails from Nagpur, the same city as CM Fadnavis. During the event in the city, the Grandmaster expressed her gratitude to CM Fadnavis and the people of Nagpur for the recognition. She mentioned that such moments are rare in life and added, 'This is a very special moment for me. I am so happy that I could be a little bit part of their (children's) motivation and their inspiration. I am feeling very happy." She also thanked the Maharashtra government and the Maharashtra Chess Association for their support. Speaking on the occasion, Fadnavis expressed his pride as an Indian, as the CM of Maharashtra, and as a native of Nagpur, that a local girl had made the country proud on the world stage. He stated that the government organised Deshmukh's public felicitation to inspire the country's children. Fadnavis highlighted that the Maharashtra government has always prioritised sports. The CM then handed over a cheque of Rs 3 crore as a cash prize to Deshmukh and assured her of support in her future endeavours. Sport Minister Manikrao Kokate also pledged to focus on the overall development of sports in the state. (With PTI Inputs) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
All Hail The Queen! Divya Gets A Royal Homecoming
Nagpur: Orange City erupted with scenes of jubilation and pride on Wednesday night as its chess queen Divya Deshmukh returned home after scripting history at the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup in Batumi, Georgia. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The 19-year-old Divya, who went to Batumi as an International Master (IM), came home as a Grandmaster — the third from the city after Raunak Sadhwani and Sankalp Gupta. In the final, Divya defeated India No.1 Koneru Humpy to win the World Cup and also secure a spot in the Candidates tournament. With a hat-trick of achievements in just 27 days, Divya made every Nagpurian feel proud and was deservingly accorded a rousing welcome at Nagpur International Airport on Wednesday night. Hundreds of school students, her classmates, friends, relatives, sports administrators, and fans gathered at the airport long before the arrival of her flight. Many held banners and placards bearing her name and achievements, while others played dhols and drums, ready to welcome the champion with unmatched enthusiasm. As Divya stepped out of the arrival gate, chants of 'Divya, Divya', and 'Nagpur ki shaan' filled the air. She was immediately surrounded by her fans, who showered her with rose petals and draped her in garlands. The young champion, who couldn't stop smiling from ear to ear at the love showered on her, appeared visibly moved by the thunderous welcome. Humbled by the love and admiration pouring in from every corner of the city, Divya thanked her city and her parents, who stood by her at all times, inspiring her to give it her all and never back down. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Massive banners with her image and congratulatory messages adorned the airport premises. Chants of 'Jai Hind!' rang out as her supporters marched alongside her. She was flanked by her proud family and several dignitaries, including MLC Parinay Fuke, who is also president of Maharashtra Chess Association, former mayor Dayashankar Tiwari, former MP Ajay Sancheti, former MLC Girish Vyas, and district sports officer Pallavi Dhatrak. As Divya met relatives near the exit gate, many embraced her with teary eyes, celebrating both the victory and the pride she brought to Nagpur. Divya's journey — from playing chess in small local competitions to becoming a World Cup winner — has now become an inspiration for thousands of young minds across the country. Her win not only marks a personal triumph but has firmly placed Nagpur on the global chess map. The state govt has announced a grand felicitation for the champion at the Suresh Bhat Hall on August 2, where chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union minister Nitin Gadkari, and other bigwigs of the state are expected.
